Why the not-so-optimistic title? Because a fifth place finish in the NL Central isn't quite worthwhile when you're the Chicago Cubs. In 2010, the team sported the highest payroll in the senior circuit at $137.9MM and were 12 games under .500 by the trade deadline. Under manager Lou Piniella, the Cubs played with little enthusiasm and became complacent with their reputation as a team with a curse. It will be up to new manager Mike Quade to shake the curse and keep his team motivated during his first full season at the helm, one which needs more ups than downs. So, as ...

If it wasn’t already clear, the 2010-11 off-season has broadcast to the world the Chicago Cubs’ full-blown dormancy in the National League Central. I’m not saying the Cubs won’t be heard from in 2011, but they’ll likely make fewer national television appearances than Barack Obama. Don’t call them the Pirates yet, but also don’t call them the Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, or probably the Astros. That’s right, the Cubs are officially stuck in .500-ville. Picture the New York Knicks, except outdoors, and also without LeBron James. The Cardinals have been busy adding Lance Berkman, Ryan Theriot and Jake Westbrook. Meanwhile, the ...

The Cubs managed to get Carlos Pena for only $5 mil this year ($5 mil deferred until 2012) and stole Kerry Wood for $1.5 mil. Factoring in arbitration raises though, they only have a few mil left to work with, so what are the rest of the possibilities for the Cubs offseason? In this article I’ll look at free agent possibilities and later will look at trade possibilities:
The position players all look set and will probably break down to 13 people:
Starting lineup: Castro, Colvin, Byrd, Ramirez, Pena, Soriano, Soto, Dewitt
Bench: Fukudome, Baker, Barney, Hill
As always, no great leadoff options and ...

Phil Cavarretta, best known for winning in 1945 the National League MVP with the Chicago Cubs, has passed away.
Cavarretta was born and raised in Chicago. At age 17, he was signed by the Cubs as a amateur free agent in 1934. From that day on he built a relationship with the Cubs organization that lasted 20 years.
The lefty had his best year in 1945; besides winning the NL MVP Award and having the best batting average in his career (.355), he took the Cubs to their last World Series appearance where they lost to the Detroit Tigers.
Although he played most of his ...

For one day, Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry was the smartest man in baseball.
In an offseason where Joaquin Benoit, Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain get three-year contracts, how the heck did Hendry manage to sign Kerry Wood to just a one-year deal? I am befuddled.After a three-year absence, the Cubs brought back Wood on a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday. This is quite a hometown discount the Cubs got because it was rumored that Wood turned down multi-year deals with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox just so he could return to the ...

It's not official, but David Kaplan of Chicago Now reported late Wednesday evening that Kerry Wood may soon no longer be a former Cub. Sources have since speculated that the deal will be for more than one year, and that Woody will be the setup man for closer Carlos Marmol.
While I am surprised that Jim Hendry didn't acquire another player named "Carlos" (I mean, really, is four enough? I don't think so), this move means that Wood will choose Chicago as the place where he will spend his next stint on the disabled list.
Look, I love Kerry and recall his days with ...

Somewhere, Ron Santo is beaming. Kerry Wood, a longtime Chicago Cub who never looked right in anyone else's uniform, will reportedly come home to the North Side of Chicago.Multiple sources, including Fred Mitchell and David Kaplan of the Chicago Tribune, report that Wood and the Cubs are finalizing a deal. If true, this news has to warm the hearts of Cubs fans everywhere. Wood became a fan favorite nonpareil in the post-Ryne Sandberg era, and the team has done its public relations a world of good by reeling in Wood just weeks after cutting ties with Sandberg. Wood's rumored demands ...

The Cubs organization will never use the term in front of Cubs fans for fear of backlash, but the Cubs are in a rebuilding process.
Sure, if they can win while they do it all the better, which is why we saw Jim Hendry take a flier on a veteran like Carlos Pena instead of moving Tyler Colvin to first base. But since contending in 2011 seems unlikely, I have a suggestion for Hendry:
If you can move big contracts like Carlos Zambrano without having to eat more than half of the money, what are you waiting for?
There has been some speculation ...

The Cubs have suffered some disappointing seasons lately. I'm not sarcastically commenting on the last 100 years; rather, I am talking about the problems they have had since 2003. They were 5 outs away from the World Series, and they have not neared that feat since. I'm not going wallow in pity, especially now that Carlos Pena is on the way. He has been a leader for the Rays, a previously horrible franchise, and helped in their run to the World Series 2 years ago. I'm not saying his arrival will deliver the Cubs to the World Series (although that ...

Statistically, at least if you use batting average, Carlos Pena was the worst hitter of any player in the majors last season, with a .196 average. Now, we are all smart enough to know that OBP is more important, and in that regard, Pena did a bit better, as he will draw a walk.But, beyond that, the real problem for Jim Hendry and the Cubs is this:They need to face reality and admit they are undergoing a rebuilding strategy.Oh, I know. The faithful Cubs fanbase has waited so long, blah blah blah, but really, what are the advantages for a ...